Contribute to proposed Trusted Research and Safer Partnership Special Interest Group

We are looking to create a new special interest group (SIG) for Trusted Research and Safer Partnership, and are seeking up to four ARMA members who would be willing to become the SIG Champions and assist with setting up and running the new SIG.

In addition to SIG champions, we are seeking ideas for events, activities and resources that you would like to see from the proposed SIG. We would like to hear from you about the topics, challenges and issues you would like the group to explore through its activities.

Trusted Research, as defined by UKRI, is a research and innovation sector term for protecting the UK’s intellectual property, sensitive research, people and infrastructure from potential theft, manipulation and exploitation, including as a result of interference by hostile actors. With research management professionals playing a key role in understanding and addressing issues and risks around Trusted Research and devising solutions, a timely SIG in this area will provide a community for aspiring and current Trusted Research practitioners to connect and learn from each other.

The proposed SIG builds upon ARMA’s Complex Collaborations report by providing a forum for collaborative working and an opportunity to improve Trusted Research practice across the research management community.

Why you should become a SIG Champion

This is a fantastic development opportunity! Becoming a Champion will allow you to:

• Contribute your professional skills to the future direction and success of your area of interest
• Apply your skills, experience and creativity to new challenges
• Gain governance and leadership experience to support your executive and non-executive career ambitions
• Further expand your network and engage with key stakeholders across the sector
• Increase your visibility and raise your personal and professional profile.

SIG champions work together to plan and deliver 2-3 information-sharing events each year for their SIG, as well as curating SIG resources on the ARMA website and facilitating discussions on the SIG JiscMail list. They will be invited to provide input into responses to sector consultations. For further information about the role, check out the SIG Champion Role Description.

The appointed SIG champions will work with the ARMA Executive Office initially to develop a proposal for the Member Engagement Committee to review and approve the creation of the SIG. Therefore, you will be considered a founding member of the Trusted Research SIG.

How to express interest and suggest topic ideas

If you are interested in or responsible for Trusted Research and would like to help shape the new SIG, please send us a supporting statement (up to 400 words) outlining your background, why you are interested in becoming a SIG Champion and what you will bring to the role.

We are interested in hearing from members based across all UK nations in organisations such as universities/higher education institutions, research institutes, independent research organisations, public sector research establishments, research funders, NHS Trusts, Catapult centres and charitable organisations, including Trusts and Foundations. The volunteering opportunity is open to all career stages, with appropriate guidance and support to be provided for successful applicants.

To submit your ideas, expression of interest statement or for more information, please email Nicole van der Westhuyzen at nicole@arma.ac.uk by Thursday 7 November 2024 with the subject line, ‘ARMA Trusted Research and Safer Partnership SIG’. While we do not require you to be an ARMA member to express interest in the SIG Champion role, in the event that you are successful, you will be asked to join the Association.

Our commitment to EDI

ARMA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.  It is a strategic priority for us to improve representation within our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from groups who are underrepresented within our community. We are committed to taking active steps within our recruitment process to reduce bias and minimise barriers to application and participation. We are also committed to offering a flexible and inclusive working environment for our employees. We offer a range of adjustments throughout the process to enable full participation. If there is anything further we can do, we encourage you to get in touch.